We are back with another edition of Dos and Don’ts. We come across these little examples all the time when we are out and about, doing design consultations or looking for inspiration online or in magazines. Often what can work for a great photo shoot just does not translate into real life living. Our goal with these posts is to help you become more critical when you are analyzing images-Does this work in real life? How do you feel when you look at this image and why?

So let’s get to it….

DON’T use solid polyfill cushion inserts. Polyfil cushions just stand too upright and don’t meld into comfortable positions when you put one behind your back. Also, when they get worn, they go flat and look really unattractive.

Polyfil cushions look nice at first, but with time they go flat and look unattractive.

If you can, DO use feather inserts with your cushions and be generous with the sizes of cushions you choose-very often you will see cushions on a couch that are just too small.

In this image the cushions have feather inserts which makes them more malleable and soft. They also have a more generous proportion which is inviting. Source: Blackband Design

Can you figure out what is wrong in this picture? Where is a person supposed to sit on this sofa? DON’T use too many cushions on a sofa. Sometimes less is more. This looks crowded and chaotic and there is just too much going on. I’d take most of these cushions off and leave just three in total. Here’s a tip: if you have to remove cushions to sit down then you have too many.

Sometimes less is more! In this example the sofa is too crowded and leaves no space to sit down. Source: Unknown

Another pretty example of using feather inserts of different sizes, pattern and placement. Source: Studio McGee

DON’T skimp on the curtains. Often people will put up a premade panel from a big box store and call it a day for their windows. Fact is, that looks unfinished, as they just don’t hold enough weight for a window. If you need to use big box premade curtain panels then sew the panels together to give you more weight and volume. The standard fullness for curtains is 2.5 times the width of your window so unless your window is only 43 inches wide then you will need more than one panel per side for it to look the best. This will make a huge difference in your overall pulled together look. AND if you can afford to have them custom made, you will not be disappointed. They really finish a room. If you want to learn more about curtains read here .

Premade curtains can create a more custom look if you make sure that the fullness (width) is about 2.5 times the width of the window - this might mean sewing two panels together to create this full look (Source: Unknown)

This is what I would call well dressed windows! The panels have enough fullness and create a beautiful custom look. Source: Unkown

DON’T rely on just overhead lighting. A space will feel far more inviting and comfortable if you use a lamp or two down at the level where people sit or stand-it brings the scale down to a more cozy level. Overhead lighting alone can make a space feel more sterile and unwelcoming. Once you add a lamp or two at eye level you will never go back to just overhead lighting.

One can create a much cozier feel by adding table lamps and floor lighting as used in this example. Source: SHIFT Interiors

Table lamps on a console table is a great to way to another layer of lighting to your space. Source: Unknown

Finally, DON”T pick paint colours in the paint store. You can get an idea of a direction you want to go with the paint colour from a fan deck but don’t make the final decision until you have done a big paint swatch and tested it in the space. DO get a tester pot from the paint store as well as a poster board and paint up a sample with two coats of paint so you can really see the colour. Then make sure you look at it in all times of the day so you get a good idea of what it will look like.